Moostache
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houston, Texas, United States
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STAAR Test Prep Week 3: Comparing & Defending Explanations (Mystery Reading Unit
STAAR Test Prep Week 3: Comparing & Defending Explanations (Mystery Reading Unit) Turn test prep into an engaging, mystery-based learning experience! This STAAR-aligned Week 3 mini-unit builds on foundational skills and pushes students to the next level— comparing explanations across texts and defending their thinking with strong evidence. Students move beyond simply identifying evidence and begin evaluating which explanation is MOST strongly supported, a high-frequency STAAR skill. 📚
6th - 8th
Reading, Reading Strategies, Writing
CCSS, TEKS
RL.7.1
, RL.7.2
, RI.7.1
+10
STAAR Test Prep Week 2: Evaluating Evidence & Explanations (Mystery Reading Unit
STAAR Test Prep Week 2: Evaluating Evidence & Explanations (Mystery Reading Unit) Turn test prep into an engaging, skill-focused experience! This Week 2 STAAR-aligned unit helps students move beyond basic comprehension and learn how to evaluate explanations and determine which ideas are best supported by evidence across multiple genres. Students will analyze mysterious texts, compare explanations, and defend their thinking using strong textual evidence—just like they are expected to do on the
6th - 8th
ELA Test Prep, Reading, Reading Strategies
CCSS, TEKS
RL.7.1
, RL.7.2
, RI.7.1
+8
STAAR Test Prep Week 1: Inference & Evidence (Mystery Reading Unit)
Struggling to get students to move beyond guessing and actually use evidence to support their thinking? This mystery-themed STAAR prep unit helps students master inference and text evidence through engaging, scaffolded practice that mirrors real STAAR questions. Students will analyze fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, compare across texts, and practice both multiple-choice and short constructed responses (SCR)—all while solving unexplained mysteries What’s Included 5 days of STAAR-aligned le
6th - 8th
ELA Test Prep, Reading, Reading Strategies
CCSS, TEKS
RL.7.1
, RL.7.9
, RI.7.1
+7
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Book Study
Complete Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone Novel Study BundleReading • Writing • Games • Behavior Management • EnrichmentBring the magic of Hogwarts into your classroom with this all-in-one novel study bundle designed for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Perfect for grades 4–8, this resource set is packed with everything you need to engage students in meaningful literacy tasks, creative challenges, and structured behavior support. Whether you're managing a high-energy class or diving
4th - 8th
Novel Studies, Reading, Writing
Harry Potter Book vs. Movie | Compare & Contrast Activities + Reflection
Harry Potter Book vs. Movie CompanionCompare & Contrast Scenes · Literary Reflections · Critical Thinking PromptsThis printable and digital-ready companion is the perfect way to help students engage with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone through a critical media lens. Students will analyze how key scenes are presented in both the book and the film, reflect on the impact of changes, and explore why filmmakers adapt stories the way they do. Whether you're wrapping up your novel unit or diving
4th - 8th
Novel Studies, Reading, Writing
Also included in: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Book Study
Root Word Mastery Bundle | Units 1–3 + Root Word Games, Trackers & Displays
Root Word of the Week first semester bundle - Units 1–3 + Bingo Game & Word Wall KitYour one-stop root word toolkit for the entire first semester!Looking to build your students’ vocabulary skills all year long? This comprehensive Root Word of the Week Bundle combines three full units of word work with engaging Bingo games, a flexible student tracker, and a ready-to-print bulletin board display kit — everything you need for morphology instruction, review, and enrichment in one place. What
5th - 8th
Grammar, Reading, Vocabulary
Flip the prompt - ECR & SCR practice
Need your students to actually understand what a prompt is asking? These Flip the Prompt task cards are here to save the day. With two STAAR-aligned sets, students get repeated practice rewriting prompts—one of the most overlooked but essential skills for strong constructed responses. What’s Included: Set 1: Cards with STAAR-style prompts and student-friendly sample rewrites on the back Set 2: Cards with prompts and scaffolded guiding questions on the back Teacher instruction cards for each
5th - 8th
ELA Test Prep, Writing, Writing-Essays
CCSS, TEKS
CCRA.W.1
, CCRA.W.4
, CCRA.W.5
+7
Root Word of the Week: Unit 1 | 6 Weeks of No-Prep Word Work (VIS to ACT)
Root Word of the Week: Unit 1 (VIS, SPEC, AUD, DICT, GRAPH, ACT)6 Weeks of No-Prep Word Work | Daily Activities, Quizzes, & Answer KeysLooking for a consistent, engaging way to teach Greek & Latin root words?This 6-week resource gives you everything you need to make vocabulary meaningful — without the prep! Each week focuses on one root word with 5-minute daily activities that build word awareness, reinforce meaning, and keep students thinking creatively. Includes printable student booklets, te
6th - 8th
Grammar, Reading, Vocabulary
CCSS, TEKS
CCRA.L.4
, LA.7.2.C
Plot Twist: Setting Shuffle – Creative Writing Cards for Middle School
What happens when a storm rolls into the middle of your story—or your character gets transported from a grocery store to a haunted circus? Plot Twist: Setting Shuffle helps students understand just how much setting shapes plot, tone, and conflict. This flexible writing resource includes: Engaging plot prompt cards written as short story scenes Setting Shuffle cards that throw students into unexpected environments A student answer sheet for rewriting and reflecting A complete teacher instruct
5th - 8th
Creative Writing, Writing
CCSS, TEKS
CCRA.W.3
, CCRA.W.4
, CCRA.W.5
+8
First 5 Days of ELA – Back-to-School Mini-Lessons
Looking to launch your ELA class with purpose, structure, and student voice? This print-and-go + editable resource includes everything you need to build routines, spark engagement, and get to know your students during the first week of school. Perfect for upper elementary and middle school ELA teachers, this resource is low prep, highly structured, and full of meaningful tasks that set the tone for a strong year. ✅ What’s Included: Student Packet (PDF):Daily warm-upsReading & writing identity s
5th - 7th
Other (ELA), Reading, Writing
CCSS, TEKS
CCRA.R.4
, CCRA.R.10
, CCRA.W.10
+3
Theme Speed Dating
Theme Speed Dating Game – Engaging ELA Activity!Make theme analysis fun and interactive with this Theme Speed Dating Game! Students rotate through different genre-based excerpts, discussing how each text conveys a common theme. By the end, they reflect on which genre was most effective at delivering the theme and why. What’s Included:Short genre-based excerpts (fiction, nonfiction, drama, poetry, speeches)Student reflection sheetsDiscussion questions to guide analysisStep-by-step teacher ins
6th - 9th
Close Reading, ELA Test Prep, English Language Arts
CCSS, TEKS
RL.6.1
, RL.6.2
, RL.6.9
+3
Fact versus Opinion - I do, We do, You do included
Fact vs. Opinion Debate Activities | Engaging ELA LessonGet your students thinking critically and debating passionately with this high-interest Fact vs. Opinion activity! Perfect for 6th-8th grade ELA, this resource makes argument analysis fun with engaging topics: What’s Included:✅ Debate Passages:Marvel vs. DC (Which franchise is better?)Minecraft vs. Fortnite (Which game reigns supreme?)Green Day vs. The Offspring (Ultimate punk rock band?)✅ Fact vs. Opinion Sorting & Graphic Organizers
6th - 8th
Close Reading, ELA Test Prep, Informational Text
CCSS, TEKS
RI.6.6
, RI.6.8
, RI.6.9
+1
My first year at Hogwarts - A Sorcerer's Stone Book Study
Bring the magic of Hogwarts into your classroom with this engaging novel study journal! Designed for middle-grade readers, this resource transforms each chapter of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone into a meaningful learning adventure with warm-ups, writing prompts, and creative projects. What's Included:Daily warm-ups to spark imagination and discussionChapter-by-chapter diary reflections that guide students through character development, theme, and key eventsCreative response activities l
5th - 8th
Novel Studies, Reading, Writing
TEKS
LA.6.5.F
, LA.6.5.B
, LA.6.5.E
+10
Also included in: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Book Study
Percy Jackson: Myth vs. Movie Comparison Booklet
⚡ Percy Jackson: Myth vs. Movie Comparison Booklet A Student-Friendly Companion to The Lightning Thief Film | Grades 5–8Take your Percy Jackson unit to the next level with this ready-to-use, print-and-go companion booklet! This engaging resource allows students to dive deep into the Greek myths behind Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief — and compare how they’re adapted in the movie. This companion includes 7 core myths referenced in the film, each one followed by a structure
5th - 8th
Literature, Novel Studies, Reading
Chapters and Cheeseburgers: A Character Analysis Choice Menu Project
Chapters & Cheeseburgers: A Character Analysis Choice Menu ProjectLooking for a creative way to teach character analysis that goes beyond basic worksheets? Chapters & Cheeseburgers is a tasty, engaging project where students "order" their final product by choosing from a menu of appetizers, entrées, and desserts — each focused on key literary analysis skills. Perfect for:Middle school ELA (Grades 5–8)Any novel, short story, or lit circle bookEnd-of-unit projects or choice boardsDifferentiated
5th - 8th
Novel Studies, Reading, Writing
CCSS, TEKS
RL.6.1
, RL.6.3
, RL.6.9
+12
Root Word of the Week – Unit 2 (BIO–SPIR)
Root Word of the Week: Unit 2BIO • SENS • MOT • HYDR • GEN • PHYS • SPIR “No Prep – Just Print and Use!”Looking to strengthen vocabulary, decoding skills, and word recognition in your literacy block or intervention class? This 7-week Root Word of the Week packet is designed for Academic Literacy Lab, RTI, SPED, and middle school word study, with engaging daily activities that reinforce Greek and Latin roots through context and repetition. ✅ What’s Included:7 complete weeks of activities (
6th - 8th
Grammar, Reading, Vocabulary
CCSS, TEKS
CCRA.L.4
, LA.7.2.C
Finding Nemo vs. Hatchet- Paired Text & Movie Analysis
Engage your students with this unique paired text and movie comparison booklet! This standards-aligned resource guides students through key survival scenes in Finding Nemo and Hatchet, helping them analyze character reactions, challenges, and themes. Students will compare and contrast literary and visual storytelling while building inference, text evidence, and reflection skills. What’s Included:Student booklet with scene-based comparison questionsFinal reflection writing taskGraphic organizer
4th - 8th
Novel Studies, Reading, Writing
TEKS
LA.6.5.F
, LA.6.5.E
, LA.6.5.G
+3
Also included in: My Survival Literacy Toolkit | Hatchet Journal + Movie Companion Pack
Creation Myths Worksheets – Reading, Writing & Creative Thinking Activities
Creation Myths Worksheets Reading • Writing • Creative Thinking | Grades 5–8Looking to bring mythology into your ELA classroom in a way that’s meaningful, engaging, and easy to prep? This printable companion pack includes 12 student-friendly worksheets, each focused on a different creation myth from around the world. With built-in comprehension questions, writing prompts, and creative extensions, this resource supports theme, inference, and cross-cultural understanding — no extra materials re
4th - 8th
Literature, Reading, Writing
CCSS, TEKS
RL.6.1
, RL.6.2
, RL.6.3
+6
My Survival Literacy Toolkit | Hatchet Journal + Movie Companion Pack
From Woods to Water: A Survival Skills Literacy BundleHatchet Novel Study Journal + Finding Nemo Film CompanionGet ready to engage your readers with this high-interest literacy bundle that blends fiction and film through one powerful theme: survival.Students will read, write, reflect, and compare as they follow Brian Robeson’s wilderness journey in Hatchet and Nemo’s ocean adventure in Finding Nemo. This resource bundle builds comprehension, inference, and writing stamina through creative, s
4th - 8th
Novel Studies, Reading, Writing
Theme Remix Battle - Compare, Revise and Defend theme Statements
Do your students struggle with theme analysis? This interactive and competitive lesson challenges students to compare, revise, and defend theme statements using high-interest passages. What’s Included:Theme Starter Cards (Encourage deeper thinking and discussion)High-Interest Passages (Fiction and nonfiction pairings)Discussion Prompts (Step-by-step student thinking guide)Answer Sheets and Teacher Model (Supports struggling learners)Step-by-Step Lesson Plan (Makes implementation easy)How It Wo
6th - 8th
ELA Test Prep, English Language Arts, Reading Strategies
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About the store
Experience
7 Years teaching in Texas
Teaching style
Welcome! I’m a 7th and 8th grade Academic Literacy Lab teacher in Texas, specializing in TEKS-aligned, data-driven instruction that actually helps students grow.
After 6 years teaching 6th grade ELAR, I’ve learned how to break down complex reading and writing skills into clear, engaging, and manageable steps—especially for struggling readers, SPED, and EB students.
My resources are scaffolded, classroom-tested, and designed to save you time while making learning accessible and engaging for all students.
If you’re looking for student-friendly materials you can use immediately—plus a little pop culture fun (and yes… Keanu Reeves makes an appearance)—you’re in the right place.
Let’s make learning engaging, effective, and actually stick.
My own education history
Bachelor's in Psychology - University of Houston
Master's in Education: Curriculum and Instruction - St. Thomas university
Additional biographical information
I live in Texas with my 3 kids, who have grown up and left me behind. Now I spend my time trying to find ways to get apathetic middle schoolers excited about reading and writing
I love playing games to teach and reinforce skills, so I have been making a lot of task cards, relay races, escape rooms. I thought this would be a good way to share.
Keanu Reeves is the theme of my classroom, so most card sets have at least one reference to him.
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